Fastening means for corner joint structures



Oct. 25, 1966 E. s. KORDOWSKI FASTENING MEANS FOR comma JOINT swnucwumas Filed July 25, 1958 IN VENTOR.

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United States Patent Ofifice 3,281,004 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 3,281,004 FASTENING MEANS FOR CORNER JOINT STRUCTURES Edward S. Kordowski, Chicago, 11]., assignor to General Box Company, Des Plaines, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 25, 1958, Ser. No. 750,960 6 Claims. (Cl. 217 43 This invention pertains to a container and in particular to a container especially suited for the handling of bulk materials, such as pallet boxes and the like.

Containers for the bulk packaging of goods and materials such as raw materials, machine parts, and the like, must generally be of an economical construction since they are part of the operating costs of the user. For this reason manufacturers of bulk packaging containers are constantly endeavoring to decrease the cost of such containers. Many times the saving of a few cents can mean the difference between the commercial successes and failure of a particular bulk packaging container. This is particularly true in manufacturing a container that is to be used in large numbers.

In addition to the requirement of low cost, bulk packaging containers must generally be of such construction that they are readily assembled and disassembled. This second requirement is the result of the users of such containers having acquired the practice of buying in disassembled form the component parts used in the construction of a container. The advantage of buying the components in this form is that they take up considerably less room so that they may be conveniently transported and stored in a minimum of space until ready for use. This practice requires that the box be readily assembled at the point of loading. Furthermore, if the box is of the re-usable type, it is necessary that it be readily disassembled at the point of unloading so that its component parts may be stacked in a compact bundle suit-able for storage until further use.

One of the foremost objects and features of this invention is to provide -a container especially suited for the handling of bulk materials that meets the above requirements.

A more specific object and feature of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container that is of economical and simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container that may be readily assembled from its component parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container that may be readily disassembled into component parts which may be stacked in a compact bundle suitable for storage.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container that is especially suited to be used as a pallet box.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container in which the corner construction is a novel and unique combination for securing the sides of the container together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bulk packaging container of such a construction that it may be used in the handling of various types of materials, whether heavy or light.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent upon reading of the specification with reference to the following drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the corner construction used in the container shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side view in elevation of the corner construction shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the corner construction.

It will be apparent upon reading of the specification that the various members used in the construction of the box other than the wires, nails, staples, and the like, may be constructed of various suitable materials such as wood, fiberboard and the like.

While the invention is described in terms of a pallet box, it will be apparent that the invention may be modified so as to be applicable to other types of containers, particularly in the bulk packaging field.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown therein one form of a container embodying the invention, designated by the numeral 10. The container is generally rectanglar in shape, having the vertical side walls 12 mounted on a base member 14. In one preferred form the side walls 12 are constructed of a plurality of vertical slat members 16 and a plurality of horizontal cleat members generally denoted by the numerals 18, 20, 22, and 24. However, the sides may be constructed of a single sheet of material where desired, in place of the slot members 16. The cleat members are secured to the associated slat members 16 in a conventional manner by nails, staples, or the like.

The base 14 is constructed of a platform 26 supported by the skid members 28. The skid members 28 are pro vided with the cut-away portion 30 and are spaced so as to provide a four-way entry pallet box. The four-way construction is optional and a two-Way construction may be used in its place.

The sides 12 may be secured to the platform 26 in any conventional manner. A preferred construction is substantially the same as that shown and described in my co-pending application of the same assignee entitled Container (Serial No. 655,070, filed April 25, 1957). In this construction a cleat member 31 extends along the edges of the platform 26 as shown in the drawing. Intermediate the ends of the cleat member 31 is a transverse groove 32. The groove 32 is aligned with a similar groove 34 in the lowermost cleat member 24 on each of the sides 12. A U-shaped latch member 36 is slidably secured to the side 12 in the groove 34 by the cleat member 24. When the latch member 36 is at its lowermost or platform engaging position, its lowermost leg is received in the groove 32 so as to secure the associated side to the platform. The sides 12 may be dis assembled from the base by bowing theside inwardly until the lowermost leg of the latch member 36 is removed from the groove 32 and then raising the latch member 36 into its disengaging position. This construction provides .a pallet box in which the sides readily assemble with and disassemble from the base.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown one form of the corner assembly used in the construction of the box. For purposes of example, we shall consider the corner assembly as used with the uppermost cleats 18, although it will be substantially the same as that used for the lower cleats.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown a plan view of the corner assembly, consisting of the cleat members 38 and 40, secured to the slat members 16. The cleat member 40 has a squared end and is substantially flush with the end slat 42. The cleat member 38, similarly, has asquared end but extends considerably beyond its end slat 44. The distance the cleat member 38 extends beyond the slat member 44 is substantially equal to the combined thickness of the cleat member 40 and the slat 42 as shown in FIGURE 2. As a result of this arrangement, the two cleats 38 and 40 form a substantially right angle corner.

Near the end of cleat 40 is a vertical groove 46 as best shown in FIGURE 3. A similar groove 48 is adjacent the end of cleat member 38 as shown in FIGURE 2. The grooves 46 and 48 are preferably cut along a vertical plane that diagonally intersects the cleat members 38 and 40 adjacent their ends, as shown in FIGURE 2. A tie member 50 encompasses the corner formed by the cleat members 38 and 40 adjacent their ends and lies in the slots 46 and 48. The tie member in one preferred embodiment is constructed of wire and will be called such hereinafter; however, tie members of materials other than wire, such as plastic, cording, and the like, may be used where possible. The ends of the wire member are twisted together so that it tightly embraces each of the cleat members 38 and 40. The twisted ends 52 of the wire member 50 are preferably on the underneath side of the cleat members 38 and 40 since they are at the top of the container. In this manner there are no sharp wires or projections from the exposed surfaces of the container so as to interfere with its use. On the cleat members below those at the top it is preferable that the twisted portion 52 be on the upper side of the cleat members, so as to facilitate the twisting of the wires, as shown in FIGURE 1. This is particularly true with respect to the lowermost cleats 24 so that the twisted portion 52 will not interefere with the assembly of the sides to the platform 26. However, the twist may be placed on the outwardly facing vertical surfaces of the cleat members in certain instances where freedom from projections is not of prime importance. The positioning of the'twists on these vertical surfaces does have the advantage of the fact that the load which tends to force the side outwardly is not bearing directly on the twisted portions so that the wires can withstand a somewhat greater load.

In the preferred form the wires 50 are preformed so that they can be readily slipped over the ends of the cleat members into the slots 46 and 48. When in this form all the operator has to do is to slip the wires over the cleat members and then twist the ends together. It is contemplated, however, that the wires may be unformed so that they are first wrapped around the ends of the cleat members, and then twisted together as shown in the drawings. It can now be seen that the sides and cleats are arranged so that adjacent sides interlock to prevent inward movement, even without being secured by the wires. When the cleats are secured by the wires, the sides are then restrained from outward movement.

Although the slots 46 and 48 are used in the preferred form of the invention, since they serve to position the wire 50 and prevent it from slipping off the ends of the cleat members, it is contemplated that they may be omitted in certain instances. This is true where the cleat members 38 and 40 are constructed of relatively soft wood so that the wires can be pulled up tight enough so as to dig into the cleat members and form their own grooves.

In FIGURE 4 there is shown a modification of the corner construction embodying the invention. This coruer construction includes the cleat members 54 and 56 secured to the slat members 16-. The ends of the cleat members 54 and 56 are mitered at a substantially 45 angle. In this manner the ends are substantially complementary to each other so as to form a right angle corner when in abutting relationship. Adjacent the ends of the cleat members 54 and 56 are the grooves 58 and 60 for receiving the Wire member 62. The wire member 62 encompasses the corner formed by cleat members 54 and 56 adjacent their ends, as shown in FIGURE 4. The ends 64 of the wire 62 are twisted together so as to hold the cleat members in abutting relationship in a manner substantially the same as shown in FIGURE 3.

In the second embodiment the sides are held against inward movement by the abutting cleat members and restrained from outward movement by the wires so that the sides are fixed,

Although the corner construction has been described in terms of a rectangular container having right angle corners, it should be pointed out that the corner construction may be used with containers having a greater or lesser number of sides. As a matter of fact, it is possible to use this corner construction with many types of containers, particularly those used for the bulk packaging of materials. It can now be seen that the container may be assembled by securing the sides 12 to the platform 26 as described previously. After the sides are in place, the wire members are then slipped over the ends of the abutting cleat members and twisted together as shown in the drawings. The twisting operation may be facilitated by a special tool designed for this purpose.

While two types of corner constructions have been shown, it should be kept in mind the other types may be used. For example, the beveled corner construction shown in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 655,070, filed April 25, 1957, may be used in the practice of the invention.

If it should be desired to disassemble the box, once it has been assembled, it is merely necessary to clip the wire at its corners so that the sides can be separated and removed from the base. The wires being of relatively short length are extremely low in cost and consequentrly are especially suited to be expendable after a single use.

Although the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that these are merely by way of example and in no manner to be construed as limitations. It is apparent that certain modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container having a plurality of sides mounted on a base member, the combination comprising two adjacent sides of the container disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of said sides being composed of a substantially fiat rectangular panel having one edge adapted to extend along one edge of said base member, and at least one cleat member mounted on said panel substantially parallel with said one edge, the ends of said cleat members on said adjacent sides being substantially aligned, said cleat member on at least one of said sides projecting beyond the associated panel, the end of the other side abutting the projecting portion of the cleat member on said one side, the end of one of said panel-s abutting on the inner face of the other of said panels adjacent its end, whereby both of said sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of said cleat members adjacent its end, and a substantially rectangular tie loop tightly, encompassing at said transverse grooves the corner formed by abutting cleat members, whereby said sides are restrained from outward movement.

2. In a container having a plurality of sides mounted on a base member, the combination comprising two adjacent sides of the container disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of said sides being composed of a substantially flat rectangular panel having one edge adapted to extend along one edge of said base member, and a plurality of cleat members mounted on each of said panels substantially parallel With said one edge with the ends of said cleat members on one of said sides being aligned with the ends of like cleat members on the other of said sides, said cleat members on said one side projecting beyond the flat panel of attachment, the ends of the cleat members and panel of the other of said sides abutting the projecting portion of said cleat members on said one side, the end of the panel on said one side abutting the inner face of the other of said panels adjacent its end so that both of said sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of the cleat members adjacent their ends and a substantiallly rectangular tie loop tightly encompassing at said transverse grooves the respective corners formed by abutting cleat members, whereby said sides are restrained from outward movement.

3. A container comprising a base member, a plurality of sides mounted on said base member, each of said sides being composed of a substantially fiat rectangular panel having one edge adapted to extend along one edge of said base member, and at least one cleat member mounted on each of said panels substantially parallel with said one edge, with the cleat members on each pair of adjacent sides being coincident at their ends, the cleat member on at least one side of said pair projecting beyond the fiat panel of attachment, the end of the other side of said pair abutting the projecting portion of the cleat member on said one side of said pair, the end of the panel on said one side of said pair abutting on the inner face of the other of said pane-ls adjacent its end, whereby said sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of the cleat members of said pair of sides, and substantially rectangular tie loops tightly encompassing at said transverse grooves the corners formed by abutting cleat members, whereby said sides are restrained from outward movement.

4. In a container having a plurality of sides mounted on a base member, the combination comprising two adjacent sides of the container disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of said sides being composed of a substantially flat rectangular panel having one edge adapted to extend along one edge of said member, and at least one cleat member mounted on said panel substantially parallel with said one edge, the cleat members on both of said sides projecting beyond the associated flat panel and in abutting relation-ship, said ends of abutting cleat members being mitered at complementary angles so \as to form a 90 corner when in abutting relationship, the end of one of said panels abutting the inner face of the other of said panels adjacent its end, whereby said sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of said cleat members adjacent their ends, and a substantially rectangular tie loop lying in said grooves tightly encompassing at said transverse grooves the corner formed by abutting cleat members, whereby said sides are restrained from outward movement.

5. In a container having a plurality of sides mounted on a base member, the combination comprising two adjacent sides of the container disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of said sides being composed of a substantially flat rectangular panel having one edge adapted to extend along one edge of said base member, and a plurality of cleat members mounted on each of said panels substantially parallel with said one edge with the ends of said cleat members on one of said sides being aligned with the ends of like cleat members on the other of said sides, said cleat members on said One side projecting beyond the flat panel of attachment; the ends of the cleat members on one of said sides at one corner of the container abutting the respective projecting portion of the cleat members on the adjacent side, and the end of the panel on one side, at said corner, abutting the inner face of the adjacent side; so that both of said sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of the cleat members adjacent their ends and a substantially rectangular tie loop tightly encompassing at said transverse grooves the respective ends of the cleats at said corner, whereby said sides are restrained from outward movement.

6. In a container having a plurality of sides mounted on a base member, the combination comprising two adjacent sides of the container disposed at substantially right angles to each other, each of said sides including panel means and a cleat member mounted on the outside of each .panel means in generally parallel relationship with said base, the edge of the panel means in one of said adjacent sides extending into edge-to-face relationship with the inner :face o f the panel means in the other of said adjacent sides, at least one of said cleat members having a squared end, the other of said cleat members extending beyond the edge of a corresponding panel means so that the inner face of said other cleat member is abutted by said squared end of said one cleat member, whereby said adjacent sides are interlocked against inward movement, a transverse groove in each of the cleat members adjacent their corresponding ends and a tie loop tightly encompassing said grooves at said corner whereby said sides are restained from outward movement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,015 12/1888 Tegtmeyer 21769 413,948 10/ 1889 Linderman 217-69 529,057 11/ 1894 Alexander et al 21768 841,340 1/1907 Rector 217-68 936,484 10/ 1909 Simpson 21768 998,822 7/1911 Whitehall 21712 1,148,372 7/1915 Fenlason. 1,329,032 1/ 1920 Williams 21712 1,451,989 4/1923 La Belle 21712 2,042,339 5/1936 Henderson 21712 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,164 1904 Great Britain. 14,881 3/1909 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, 'EARLE J. DRUMMOND,

RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Examiners. 

1. IN A CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SIDES MOUNTED ON A BASE MEMBER, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING TWO ADJACENT SIDES OF THE CONTAINER DISPOSED AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID SIDES BEING COMPOSED OF A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT RECTANGULAR PANEL HAVING ONE EDGE ADAPTED TO EXTEND ALONG ONE EDGE OF SAID BASE MEMBER, AND AT LEAST ONE CLEAT MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID PANEL SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH SAID ONE EDGE, THE ENDS OF SAID CLEAT MEMBERS ON SAID ADJACENT SIDES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGNED, SAID CLEAT MEMBERS ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDES PROJECTING BEYOND THE ASSOCIATED PANEL, THE END OF THE OTHER SIDE ABUTTING THE PROJECTING PORTION OF THE CLEAT MEMBER ON SAID ONE SIDE, THE END OF ONE OF SAID PANELS ABUTTING ON THE INNER FACE OF THE OTHER OF SAID PANELS ADJACENT ITS ENDS, WHEREBY BOTH OF SAID SIDES ARE INTERLOCKED AGAINST INWARD MOVEMENT, A TRANSVERSE GROOVE IN EACH OF SAID CLEAT MEMBERS ADJACENT ITS END, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TIE LOOP TIGHTLY ENCOMPASSING AT SAID TRANSVERSE GROOVES THE CORNER FORMED BY ABUTTING CLEAT MEMBERS, WHEREBY SAID SIDES ARE RESTRAINED FROM OUTWARD MOVEMENT. 